The International Frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction have specified the role of national governments at all levels, including the local government. It is important to note that international agreements such as the Yokohama Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Hyogo Framework and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction mention community involvement in disaster management plan implementation. India also endorses international conventions to reduce the risk of disaster. According to the 2005 Disaster Management Act, both the central government and the states in India are in charge of disaster management. A question is whether a disaster management unit exists at all levels, making plans for disaster risk reduction and whether this makes a difference. The study areas were selected based on the severity of landslides from the state of Sikkim and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, consisting of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The effectiveness of disaster management strategies that are implemented at the local level of this region is also discussed in this study. The study also discusses the applicability of disaster management strategies, concepts, plans and actions. It makes an effort to highlight their usefulness locally using the secondary and empirical data gathered from the sample households from the two study areas.